Happy reading, Sade xx

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WHEN Max finally took his leave, Charlotte stood frozen in the middle of the living room with a glazed look etched across her face. After a moment of just looking at her, Nicolas took a step closer to break her out of the trance seemed to be in but he wasn't quick enough as just then Charlotte suddenly barrelled down the hallway to what he assumed was her room.

Women are so odd, he thought to himself as he checked the time. It was nearing the afternoon, so he had a couple of hours to kill before they had to be at his childhood home. He didn't know how to really feel about having Charlotte there. He had never brought a girl home before, so Nicolas wasn't very aware of the protocol to follow. Sure he's had his fair share of what he would label flings, not being with them for long enough to call it a relationship. 

Theoretically, she doesn't really fall in that category of 'a girl' in this particular situation; he meant from a romantic perspective if you want to get technical with it. They would have to act affectionately towards one another if not; his family would start suspecting that they were just pretending.

The whole fake girlfriend stunt he pulled was becoming a lot more complicated as the seconds ticked on. Nicolas wasn't sure why but as soon as he started to notice the various eyes around the room start gravitating towards Charlotte, the green hand of jealousy slowly crept over his shoulder and the words spilled out of his mouth before his brain could process what was being said. He has always been the possessive type but never to the extent of publicly claiming a woman as his girlfriend. That too a woman he barely knew! It was quite irritating that he seemed to find himself in this type of situation right now. He was sitting in his office looking over the cityscape pondering over a relationship with a woman that he was not even in a real relationship with. Did that even make sense? Honestly, his mind was fogged.

He glanced at the clock on the wall and had to do a double take. Nearly 3 hours had passed by and he'd literally been doing nothing but think about his 'situation-ship' with Charlotte!

What pathetic behaviour! 

He thought to himself as he made his way to his room to get ready for the evening.

Charlotte on the other hand was going through a crisis of her very own. She had absolutely no idea what she was going to wear! She stood there walking back and forth in front of her closet still dressed in her bathing gown and hair wrapped up in a towel since she came out of the shower which was well over an hour ago. 

She stepped before the mirror and flung her hands upon frustration, "What is the matter with you? You've successfully managed to dress yourself for the last 20+ years of your life. What's different about today?"

Great!  She thought she was now turning into a crazy person talking to herself.

Maybe she should...No, no, no, get that thought out if your mind. Charlotte quite dramatically threw herself onto the bed in exasperation. 

"Why was this so haaaard?" She whined to the empty room. Having had enough of this unnecessary back and forth in her mind she decided to take her current predicament to the root of the issue.

Charlotte had burst into his room like a wild wind, holding a pile of clothing in her hands and just dropped them onto his bed after letting out an overly dramatic sigh.

Not noticing that he had just stepped out of his bathroom with nothing, but a towel wrapped around his waist. He raised his eyebrows and gave her a puzzled look.

"Sure, just walk in here like you own the place it's not like I need privacy or anything." He said sarcastically.

"Anyway," she ignored his comment and still facing his bed, "Since this is a dinner at your familial home, which is actually quite inappropriate for me to be attending might I add. What sort of look should I go for?"

Nic leaned against the doorway with a small smile on his face.

So that's why she rushed to her room earlier, he thought.

Unbeknownst to his amusement, Charlotte rattled off all the possible outfits she had brought and what sort of impression it would give off to his family. She needed to stay professional but at the same time had to put up with this ever-unfolding charade Nicolas had conjured up.

Deciding he'd had enough of her rambling, Nicolas stepped forward to stand a few inches behind her and as he heard her sharp intake of breath it made him smirk. He might as well have a little bit of fun while he's here. He leaned his head over her shoulder and took note of the pile of clothes on his bed; slowly he slid his hand around her waist, "Why don't you wear that one?" He said softly into her ear while pointing to the first thing his eyes caught which was what he assumed was a white dress.

"Okaythankyoubye," Charlotte gabbled out as she grabbed her pile of clothing and rushed out of his room leaving him standing there chucking at her adorable behaviour.

Huh?

What was that?

Did he honestly just refer to Charlotte as adorable? He slapped his cheeks a few times to hopefully wake him up from what ever mood he was currently in.

"Dammit Nic, pull yourself together!" He shook his arms as if to loosen the feelings which he was experiencing but deep, deep down he knew they weren't going to disappear anytime soon.

Nicolas sat on the couch and checked is watch for the nth time. How could she have spent all this time getting ready yet here is...still waiting for her. The sound of a throat clearing caught his attention, he looked up and yet again he was left shocked by her appearance.

Charlotte stood there in a white dress that fit her well, not too tight to be inappropriate for the occasion but tight enough to highlight her curves. The dress had a ruffled hem that was raised on one side. It also had a wide, v-shaped neckline that was made a bit more demure by the lithe manner in which the fold of sleeves fell.

This is so nerve-wracking, she thought as she felt Nicolas's gaze scan her appearance from her shoes till he landed on her face.

"Do I look alright?" she asked pensively.

"Uh...hmm..." he answered in an unintelligent mumble.

"Then let's get going."

IT SEEMED as if her current situation happens a lot more frequently than she would like to admit. The situation in reference was her and Nicolas, together in a car, going to see a member of his family which she would much rather not be doing.

Though the previous lunch meeting they had with his mother was not the worst one she's ever been to but there were defiantly some bombs that were dropped during that time. Who even knew what was going to go down tonight?

It didn't take a genius to see that Charlotte was nervous. Every time Nicolas would glance over, she would be picking at her nails or fiddling with the bracelet she had on. He let out a small chuckle remembering this morning's antics. Was it the mature thing to do? No. Did he have a blast doing it? Hell yes.

Though he did make a note that she was startled but his close proximity. He would have to test out just how far it went at dinner tonight, he made a mental note as they drove up the driveway of his parent's house. 

Entering the De Luca household was unlike Charlotte would have imagined. While the house was expertly decorated using a colour palette that screamed luxury and wealth but what she truly found astounding was the very prominent warm and welcoming feeling that she experienced as soon as she took a step into the foyer. She didn't feel that distant chill she would whenever she visited her parent's residence. This felt like a home.

Then they heard a loud crash...

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Well...it's turns out that feeling like you're dying actually knocks the creativity out of you!

Who would have thought!  

I've had parts of this chapter written down for months and could not find a way to link them for the life of me! So if this update kinda sucks then I really am sorry. I'll try better in the next chapter. Also some of you be having me giggling with all the comments that your leaving. Pls keep leaving them, reading it brings me so much joy!
To those of you who actually choose to stay and read this thanks!

 
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